COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY
JOB SPECIFICATION
Post Title:
Project Officer (Scale I)
Responsible to:
Project Manager or Senior Project Officer
Responsible for:
Project Supervisors, Archaeologists and Trainees
Purpose:
To lead the archaeological direction and site management
of larger/more complex fieldwork sites and projects, with
principal responsibility for ensuring performance targets
are met (or exceeded), and assuring the quality of
archaeological recording and understanding.
Main Activities:
(a) Site responsibility for managing the delivery of fieldwork to time, budget, quality and
health and safety requirements.
(b) Line manage and develop staff, ensuring their continuous improvement in
performance through performance reviews, constructive feedback, initiating training,
coaching and improved practices.
(c) Assure the quality of archaeological understanding and site records, and oversee the
compilation of archaeological archives to required standards.
(d) Author reports to publication standard.
(e) Monitor and provide regular reports to Project Managers on project progress
(budgetary and archaeological), logistical, staff and health and safety issues, and
maintain appropriate liaison with clients, Local Government officers, and contractors.
(f) Ensure accurate maintenance and approval of appropriate administrative records,
including timesheets and plant and labour returns.
(g) Ensure effective deployment, maintenance and care of vehicles, plant and
equipment, and maintain/provide accurate records ensuring accidents, damage and
malfunctions are reported promptly and appropriately.
(h) Ensure fieldwork is carried out in accordance with the CA Health and Safety policy,
and prepare Health and Safety Methods Statements and Risk Assessments and
other relevant documentation.
(i) Assist Project Managers in pre-project planning and preparation including
undertaking the preparation of written schemes of investigation, trench plans,
obtaining service information, notifying utility companies prior to excavation and
making appropriate contact with landowners and agents and other relevant parties.
(j) Deputise for the Project Manager in liaison and meetings with client/curator and other
stakeholders as required.
(k) Contribute to departmental processes and working practices via Learning Reports,
feedback to Committee Representatives and/or project leaders, and discussion at
Revised June 2011
performance reviews.
(l) Actively promote, and develop a greater public awareness and appreciation of the
work of CA through displays, publications, contributions to the website, media liaison,
lectures etc.
(m) Carry out any other duties commensurate with responsibilities as CA may determine
from time to time.
Personal Specification:
Essential
(a) Knowledge and expertise in archaeological practice, including a general familiarity
with the archaeology of Britain at all periods.
(b) Experience of the supervision of large fieldwork projects (including excavations and
large-scale/complex evaluations).
(c) Demonstrable competence in stratigraphic analysis, phasing, grouping, preparation
of stratigraphic accounts and fieldwork summaries for Post-excavation Assessment.
(d) The ability to write reports to publication standard.
(e) Good man management skills and the ability to organise, motivate, train, appraise
and direct staff.
(f) Knowledge, awareness and understanding of business needs, budgets and
timescales, within commercial archaeology.
(g) Good working knowledge of all relevant Health and Safety requirements, and other
relevant legislation.
(h) The ability to communicate efficiently and courteously with sponsors and clients of
CA, officers of other bodies and members of the public.
(i) Administrative ability in the keeping of records and accounts and the submission of
reports.
(j) A full manual driving licence.
(k) Word-processing and database skills.
(l) Membership of the Institute for Archaeologists at AIfA level, or ability to demonstrate
they meet the requirements). Candidates who are not already a member of the
Institute must be prepared to join immediately upon appointment.
(m) Competent in carrying out first aid.
Desirable
a) Membership of the Institute for Archaeologists at MIfa level.
b) In depth period/site type knowledge/specialisation (such as finds or environmental
archaeology, survey or GIS).
c) The ability to research and write academic discussions for publication.
Revised June 2011
d) Survey skills, including ability to operate Leica GPS/TST, and basic knowledge and
understanding of CAD.
e) Experience of driving 4x4 vehicles, vans and minibuses.
Revised June 2011